Believe it or not Lagos seaport serves as magnet to almost all the people and industries that are found there. It's like the nectar of a flower which attracts insects. Having said that, Lagos could be replicated in some other states. It might be too burdensome for states to handle alone. The FEDERAL MIGHT works magic because of it's financial capability.
Dubaï that you rightly mentioned was built by the UAE. It's wasn't a sectional project. It was a national undertaking. Singapore on the other hand thrived under one of the global leaders of all time, Lee Kuan Yew whose political will was out of this world.
Our rulers know all this but selfishness has the better part of them. Nigeria could be better if it's wealth is evenly distributed. Our rulers are not sincere.